Daily
Santa Barbara
Thursday, April 16th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 16th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ SpaceX launched 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East at 9:29 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Apr. 14, and residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may have heard sonic booms from the launch and booster recovery. Edhat
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Artists began painting a Zapotec-inspired public display at State and Carrillo on Monday. Funded by a $100,000 Bloomberg Foundation grant, the project ties to the downtown Saturday market and will receive a protective coating next Saturday as painters finish the crosswalks (using stencils to create bright geometric designs). Santa Barbara Independent
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society is hosting professional genealogist Lisa Vogele at Sahyun Genealogy Research Library on Saturday, April 18, where her Travel Your Tree presentation will be offered live and via Zoom at 11 a.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for refreshments (advance registration is required). Noozhawk
- ➤ Superintendent Bree Valla will leave Vista del Mar Union School District to head Los Banos Unified School District in Merced County—she expanded enrollment and modernized facilities during her transformative tenure along the Gaviota Coast. Noozhawk
- ➤ Researchers at UCSB found that inhibitory neurons in fruit flies not only suppress movement but also drive coordinated grooming by alternately braking and releasing muscles (using optogenetic experiments), a breakthrough that may guide future robotics research. Noozhawk
- ➤ Graduate student Kaylee Laub won the 2026 Grad Slam on April 9 at Campbell Hall with her presentation on reimagining climate change education. She earned $5,000 and will represent UCSB at the UC Grad Slam in Sacramento on April 22. Edhat
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara Botanic Garden marks 100 years of native-plant conservation with events and programs at its 78-acre campus at 1212 Mission Canyon Road. The garden invites community members to join in habitat restoration + conservation science efforts for a resilient future. Noozhawk
- ➤ Santa Barbara and Goleta residents and businesses can drop off clean EPS foam at MarBorg facilities in downtown Santa Barbara (132 Nopalitos Way) and in Goleta (20 David Love Place). Heal the Ocean and MarBorg Industries expanded the recycling program with densifying equipment that compresses foam into useful materials. Noozhawk
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Tom Steyer held a town hall at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, drawing a packed crowd as he spoke about easing the housing crisis, boosting the renters tax credit, and advancing environmental justice as part of his Shared Prosperity tour. KEYT
- ➤ Santa Barbara County launches a 90-day carpool pilot today that helps employees find ride-share matches and log trips using SBCAG’s SmartRide program; the initiative will run until July 14 and builds on prior local transit tests. Noozhawk
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness will host a ribbon cutting and open house on May 1 from 1 to 2 p.m. at its new South County Child and Family Services Center (315 W. Haley St.), where expanded behavioral health services for children, youth and families are introduced. Noozhawk
- ➤ A Santa Barbara resident's son became addicted to illegal kratom pills after trying kratom tea for wrist pain two years ago and has experienced repeated relapses during rehab. Health officials warn that these potent products (linked to overdoses and addiction) remain easily available online and at local smoke shops. Noozhawk
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ On Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium, the UC Santa Barbara baseball team defeated top-ranked UCLA 4-0 — ending the Bruins’ 27-game win streak with standout pitching by Calvin Proskey, AJ Krodel, and Cole Tryba — and will start a weekend series against UC Irvine from April 17-19. Santa Barbara Independent
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John Milton's Hypnosis Show
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the captivating performance of world-renowned hypnotist John Milton at the Arlington Theatre.
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How to Utilize the Services at Your Library
4-6 p.m. — Goleta Valley Library Express — Free assistance — Bilingual staff available to guide the community on using library services effectively.
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Cal St. Fullerton Titans vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
4:35-5:35 p.m. — The Cove Santa Barbara — Ticket prices may vary — Cheer on the Titans as they face off against the Gauchos in a thrilling collegiate baseball matchup.
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FREE Youth Learn-to-Row Event
FREE Youth Learn-to-Row Event EXCLUSIVELY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS GRADES 6-9 NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY WHEN: SATURDAY, APRIL 25th 9 - 11:30am WHERE: Santa Barbara Community Rowing, CACHUMA LAKE 2225-CA 154 Discover the ultimate team sport outside and in nature! It is one of the most open and welcoming sports and loads of fun. New rowers will practice basic rowing technique on rowing machines before rowing in boats on the water. EMAIL COACH GRACIE at [email protected] TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.
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FREE Youth Learn-to-Row Event
FREE Youth Learn-to-Row Event EXCLUSIVELY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS GRADES 6-9 NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY WHEN: SATURDAY, APRIL 25th 9 - 11:30am WHERE: Santa Barbara Community Rowing, CACHUMA LAKE 2225-CA 154 Discover the ultimate team sport outside and in nature! It is one of the most open and welcoming sports and loads of fun. New rowers will practice basic rowing technique on rowing machines before rowing in boats on the water. EMAIL COACH GRACIE at [email protected] TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.
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Hadestown Musical Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Granada Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magical journey of Hadestown, where a song can change your fate.
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Integrative Flow Yoga Class
3:30-4:30 p.m. — Yoga Soup — Cost info not provided — Experience a dynamic vinyasa flow focusing on breathwork and relaxation.
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Integrative Restoration Meditation
5:30-6:30 p.m. — Yoga Soup — Accessible entry — Experience a calming iRest meditation class that promotes healing and well-being.
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Pat Metheny Concert
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Ticket information available — Experience an unforgettable evening with renowned jazz guitarist Pat Metheny.
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Candlelight Tribute to ABBA & Queen
6:15-9:30 p.m. — Music Academy of the West — Enchanting concert — Immerse yourself in a magical evening with live string renditions of iconic hits in a stunning candlelit setting.
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California Baptist Lancers vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Baseball
4:35 – 5:35 PM — The Cove Santa Barbara — Cost info not provided — Watch an exciting college baseball matchup in the beautiful Santa Barbara setting.
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